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Lakeland Flying Tigers

Flying Tigers Opening Day Roster Announced

April 4, 2015 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Lakeland Flying Tigers News Release


Lakeland, FL - The Lakeland Flying Tigers have announced their 2015 Opening Day roster. It will feature six top 10 draft picks and nine players who appeared in games for the Flying Tigers in 2014. The roster includes 13 pitchers, 2 catchers, 6 infielders, 4 outfielders and 1 player on the disabled list

Starting pitcher Kevin Ziomek headlines a list of prospects. Ziomek is currently rated the fourth-best prospect in the Detroit Tigers organization by MLB.com. He was selected by the Tigers in the second round of the June 2013 draft from Vanderbilt University. Ziomek was selected as a Midwest League post-season all-star. He led the Midwest League with a 2.27 ERA and a .201 opponents batting average, while he ranked second with 152 strikeouts. Ziomek was selected the West Michigan Whitecaps Co-Pitcher of the Year last season.

The rotation will include Ziomek, Tommy Collier, Ryan Longstreth, Jonathan Maciel and Locke St. John. The Flying Tigers pitching staff finished 4th in the FSL in hits allowed (1150) and 7th in ERA (3.70) in 2014. The team finished with 12 shutouts last season.

Catcher Grayson Greiner is currently rated the tenth-best prospect in the Tigers organization by MLB.com. He was selected by Detroit in the third round of the June 2014 draft. Greiner batted .322 in 26 games for West Michigan last season. He was selected as a semi-finalist for the Johnny Bench Award during his senior season at the University of South Carolina and was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team. Greiner was named to the 2013 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and earned Second Team All-SEC Honors.

Dave Huppert returns as manager of the Flying Tigers for his fifth season. This season marks Huppert's 28th season as manager at the minor league level. Huppert has the most wins by any active manager in Minor League Baseball entering the 2015 season with 1,854. He guided Lakeland to the FSL Championship in 2012. Nelson Santovenia (hitting) and Jorge Cordova (pitching) will begin their first seasons with Lakeland. Jason Schwartzman (Athletic Trainer) returns for his second season and Jeff Mathers (Strength and Conditioning Coach) will make his Lakeland debut.

The Flying Tigers open the FSL season on Thursday, April 9 against the Tampa Yankees. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and gates to Marchant Stadium will open at 5:30 p.m. The first 1,500 fans that enter the ballpark will receive a 2015 Flying Tigers magnet schedule. The Flying Tigers annual "Taste of Lakeland" will take place from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Tickets for all home games are available by calling the Flying Tigers at (863) 686-8075. Box seats are $6 and reserved seats are $5 and seniors 55 and over, children 14 and under

and active military personnel receive a $1.00 discount. Day of game tickets (excluding Monday's) are an additional $1. Saturday tickets are an additional $1. Wednesday All-You-Can-Eat tickets are $10. Monday tickets are $1. Parking is FREE.

The Flying Tigers are a Class A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. For more information please visit the Flying Tigers online at www.LakelandFlyingTigers.com or call (863) 686-8075.

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